Ultimate Guide To Cairns Dive Courses
Cairns is one of the best places in the world to do a dive course. The sprawling coral gardens of the Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef lie right off shore! So you can enhance your dive skills with expert instructors in the world-class reef sites of the world's largest coral system. It's too good an opportunity to pass up!
If you're not sure which dive course to take, check out our detailed guide. We'll summarise different types of dive courses, the providers you can choose from, and what's included. Hopefully, this guide helps you plan your dive adventures on the Great Barrier Reef!
If you have more specific questions about dive courses or any of our products, contact our helpful team of local experts!
Quick Links
- Types Of Dive Courses You Can Book In Cairns
- PADI Vs. SSI Dive Courses
- What is an Open Water Dive Course?
- Cairns Beginner / Open Water Courses
- What is an Advanced Dive Course?
- Cairns Advanced Dive Courses
- What is a Scuba Refresher Course?
- Cairns Scuba Refresher Courses
Types Of Dive Courses You Can Book In Cairns
Let's start with a quick overview of the dive courses available in Cairns.
- Open Water Dive Courses
- For beginners, no prior experience needed
- Learn the basic theory and practice of scuba diving
- Get your dive certification so you can dive anywhere
- Advanced Dive Courses
- For certified divers who have completed their Open Water Course
- Learn new skills like night dives, deep dives, underwater navigation, etc.
- Get your advanced dive certification
- Scuba Refresher Courses
- For certified divers who have not scuba dived in 1 year or more
- Remember your training and feel more confident underwater
- May be required for some reef diving tours
See more of the Great Barrier Reef on these amazing tours!
What is the difference between PADI and SSI Dive Courses?
Both PADI and SSI offer globally recognised scuba diving training and certifications, so there is no real difference between the two. They are just different companies offering the same products. You can get certified with either company, and the skills you learn are universal.
Even if you get certified with PADI, you can still join SSI dive excursions or courses in the future, and vice versa. PADI is more common in Cairns, so dive courses here will likely be with PADI.
What is an Open Water Dive Course?
An open water dive course is the basic course that you can take to become a certified scuba diver! With a combination of theory, practical skills, and diving in the open ocean, you can get your open water certification and go scuba diving all over the world. Being certified means you can dive up to 18m below the surface with your dive buddy, without being directly supervised by an instructor.
How long is an Open Water Dive Course in Cairns?
Open water dive courses in Cairns are typically 3-5 days, as this gives you enough time to complete the 4 required dives, pass the written exam, and learn your practical skills. In Cairns, you can find beginner dive courses that feature any combination of e-learning, pool practice days, reef day trips, and reef liveaboards where you spend a few days at sea.
E-learning - Allows you to complete some of the theory online, reducing the time you need to spend learning in person
Pool days - Include learning the theory and safety rules, learning the equipment, and practising skills in the pool
Reef day trips - Join a group day tour to the Outer Reef and practice your skills in the ocean (often have time for 2 dives per day)
Reef liveaboards - Overnight boat trips to the reef where you can practice skills in the open ocean, complete day dives, potentially night dives, and sleep in cabins aboard the vessel
Cairns Beginner / Open Water Courses
Divers Den
Divers Den has dive courses that include 2 pool days in Cairns, followed by either reef day trips or a liveaboard option. Though you practice the same skills in a pool vs. the ocean, some beginners may prefer the comfort of learning in a pool.
The 4-day non-liveaboard is also a great option for those who don't want to stay overnight on a boat.
4 Day Open Water Course (Non-Liveaboard)
- 2 pool days
- 2 separate reef day trips
- 5 dives
5 Day Open Water Course (Liveaboard Combo)
- 2 pool days
- 3-day, 2-night liveaboard
- 5 dives
- 1 night dive
Reef Encounter
Reef Encounter has 3 or 4-day liveaboards where you complete your entire dive course out on the Great Barrier Reef! For those who want the immersive experience of learning to dive in the open ocean, this is a fantastic option.
They also have Top Deck Club upgrades for those who want a bit of luxury out on the boat.
3 Day Open Water Course (Liveaboard)
- 3-day, 2-night liveaboard
- 8 dives
- 1 night dive
4 Day Open Water Course (Liveaboard)
- 4-day, 3-night liveaboard
- 10 dives
- 1 night dive
Pro Dive
Pro Dive has flexible dive course options that include a combo of pool days and liveaboards. Their E-learning option allows you to complete some of the education on your own time.
Then you can also experience the wonders of staying out on the Great Barrier Reef for multiple nights.
4 Day E-Learning Open Water Course (Liveaboard Combo)
- E-learning course
- 1 pool day
- 3-day, 2-night liveaboard
- 9 dives
- 1 night dive
5 Day Open Water Course (Liveaboard Combo)
- 2 pool days
- 3-day, 2-night liveaboard
- 8 dives
- 1 night dive
Down Under Dive
Down Under Dive is another affordable and flexible option for travellers who prefer not to stay overnight at sea. You can stay in Cairns the whole time and complete your course at the pool and on 2 day trips to the reef.
4 Day Open Water Course (Non-Liveaboard)
- 2 pool days
- 2 separate reef day trips
- 5 dives
What is an Advanced Dive Course?
Advanced dive courses are the next step after completing your open water course. They allow you to expand on your knowledge and skills by learning deep dives, technical dives, navigational dives, and more. Advanced dive courses will teach you how to dive up to 30m below sea level and do it safely and confidently. You can also try specialty stress and rescue courses that give you the knowledge required to help other divers.
Most travellers just get their open water dive certification. But if you are passionate about underwater exploration, advanced dive courses give you a wider range of skills. Advanced courses are also the next step to becoming a divemaster or instructor.
Some diving hotspots along Australia's East Coast, such as Wolf Rock or the SS Yongala Wreck, may require an advanced diving certification.
What are elective dives on an advanced dive course?
Advanced open water courses generally include 2-4 compulsory core skills, such as deep diving, night diving, underwater navigation, and peak performance buoyancy.
Depending on the length of the course, you can also select 1 or more elective dives. These may include underwater photography, search and rescue, underwater naturalist, fish identification, and more. There are so many fun and interesting ways to expand your knowledge!
Cairns Advanced Dive Courses
Divers Den Advanced Open Water Course (Liveaboard)
- 2-day, 1-night liveaboard option
- 6 dives (5 training dives and 1 fun dive)
- 3-day, 2-night liveboard option
- 10 dives (5 training dives and 5 fun dives)
- Core Requirements: navigation dive, night dive, deep dive, peak performance buoyancy dive
- 1 elective dive on 2-day, 2 elective dives on 3-day
Pro Dive Advanced Open Water Course (Liveaboard)
- 3-day, 2-night liveaboard
- 11 dives
- Core Requirements: navigation dive, night dive, deep dive, peak performance buoyancy dive
- 2 elective dives
Down Under Dive Advanced Open Water Course (Non-Liveaboard)
- 2 reef day trips
- 6 dives (5 training dives and 1 fun dive)
- Core Requirements: navigation dive, deep dive
- 3 elective dives
Reef Encounter Stress and Rescue Course (Liveaboard)
- 4-day, 3-night liveaboard
- 14 dives (6 training and 8 recreational)
- First aid and oxygen administration course
What is a Scuba Refresher Course?
A scuba refresher course is a quick, 2 or 3 hour lesson where you can brush up on your dive skills. They are only available to certified divers who have already completed their Open Water Course. But after you get your certification, sometimes life gets in the way and you don't get to dive as often as you might like.
Scuba refresher courses are generally recommended for divers who have not done any diving in 12 months or more. There are lots of skills to remember for scuba diving, so the refresher course just gives you a chance to remember everything before you join a certified dive on the reef.
Some reef tours may require that you take a refresher course if it has been 12 months or longer since your last dive. Luckily, they are quick, easy, and affordable!
Cairns Scuba Refresher Courses
Divers Den Scuba Refresher Course
- 9am - 12pm pool session
- Includes all equipment and instruction
- Must bring your dive certification card
Pro Dive Scuba Refresher Course
- 9am - 11am pool session
- Includes all equipment and instruction
- Must bring your dive certification card
